HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Emil Jones scored nine of Troy’s 11 points in overtime, leading the Trojans to an 81-79 victory over Florida Atlantic in the opening round of the Sun Belt tournament Friday night.
Jones’ two free throws with 17 seconds left in regulation sent the game into overtime, and he scored Troy’s first eight points in the extra period. Greg Gantt scored inside to bring the Owls within 80-79 with 1:11 left, but they missed their next two shots and Jones closed it out by making 1 of 2 free throws with 6 seconds left.
Jones finished with 18 points for 10th-seeded Troy (12-20), which will meet No. 2 seed Arkansas State in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Ray Chambers added 15 points and Tevin Calhoun had 12.
Stefan Moody led seventh-seeded Florida Atlantic with 29 points. Pablo Bertone added 20 and Gantt had 19.
The win was the 500th in Troy coach Don Maestri’s career.
